Guess Who's Back for Iron Man 3?

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Ashley Hamilton also in talks for a role as Firepower.

By Max Nicholson

Rejoice! It looks like Jon Favreau will be returning to the Iron Man franchise after all. After stepping down from the director's chair, many fans were worried that the former Iron Man 1 & 2 helmer wouldn't be reprising his role as Happy Hogan -- Tony Stark's driver/bodyguard/right-hand man -- in Marvel's Iron Man 3. But according to Favreau's Twitter, we needn't worry any longer.

Earlier today, Favreau tweeted a brief statement, "BTW," along with the following image:

While this is by no means official, it's probably safe to say that Happy will at least be making an appearance in the film. (Thanks to Twitter follower Michael Baginski for the heads-up.)

In other casting news, Variety reports that Ashley Hamilton is in negotiations to play one of the movie's villains, Firepower (aka Jack Taggart). In the comics, the character is described as the pilot of an experimental armored suit under the secret mission dubbed Project: Firepower. Hamilton is a personal friend of Robert Downey Jr., though they've never actually worked together.

Shane Black will be directing Tony Stark's latest adventure from a script he co-wrote with Drew Pearce. Disney has slated the film for release on May 3, 2013.